Diana Kruzshak

John Kruzshak Needs A LIVING Kidney DONOR

My husband, my other half and friend of 44 years. To try and sum up the things we’ve experienced together in life would be more of a novel. It would begin in high school, and forward through all the romance and trials of a young couple growing up and learning together. The reflection I share with our 22 year old daughter, about relationships, is to be with someone whom you admire and respect. Someone you can argue constructively with, and carefully hold each others heart.
These things have been cornerstones in building our life and our business together. We’ve shared and fulfilled a number of our life’s dreams together. Our traveling as a family and experiencing other cultures has always been very important to us, as well as supporting each others individual interests.
My husband is the strongest man I know, in every way ( turns out dna shows he’s part Viking..... No surprise to me) So I refuse to stop planning future trips, there’s so much more life to love, and learn about.

John’s life is extremely physical. We have a green roof company, which is an effort to rebalance urban areas ecologically, replacing the green foot print and helping with storm water run off....saving the world one building at a time you might say.
John has been unable to work out in the field for almost two years due to his kidneys failing. Clear headedness and simple balance are a challenge, not to mention the over all physical weakness and constant state of exhaustion.
The basic day to day things are simply too strenuous. It’s sad he has to break and nap often during the day and can’t manage to enjoy the normal daily routine anymore.
As a family, we recognize how much of our collective life has changed. From the simple things around the house to his hobbies, and the camping he loved. Dialysis isn’t typically something done in a tent, but if it were... he’d be the one to try it.
John is terribly stoic, and will always re-direct the attention away from himself... but the dogs understand. He can’t cross the room without a dog on either side.
We really miss the healthy, loving, lighthearted man this condition has slowly been stealing away from us.

We are fortunate to have friends and family that have tried to donate, but for one reason or another were unqualified. The screening process is thorough, for good reason, and the potential donor’s health before,during and after is paramount. An easy step by step process... our group at Yale has hand held many through, starting with just a simple line of questioning, and next a blood test. We’ve learned so much about organ donation, and how much of what we thought we knew was dispelled. To say it’s pretty dang easy to save somebody’s life with less effort than you may believe, is really the truth. We encourage everyone to at least learn about it, and maybe spread the word... if not to help John, maybe one day to save someone else. Thank you and Love Life every day!

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